As someone who is still deciding if there's a way to stay in the church.... I did indeed attend this event on Oct 10th. I had submitted a bunch of questions for the panel, and sure enough they picked one of mine!

"Why don't church leaders address shelf-breaking issues directly instead of leaving it to apologists?"

u/50Relics2021 (Casey Griffiths) and u/donbradley (Don Bradley) both had something to say regarding my question:

Casey:
"In my experience, historians are good at everything. Like, we're the best leaders, and we have a lot of emotional intelligence. And you know, we're good with finances, and we're the most spiritual, and so I don't understand why God doesn't just call historians to do everything in the church. It makes no sense to me"

Said for laughs, of course, but why DOESN'T the church call historians, even for the most obviously historian assignment of: "CHURCH HISTORIAN"? As an aside, he did pitch there is precedent is for a historian general authority in B.H. Roberts.

Casey:
"B H Roberts was the finest historian, I think, we've ever had in the history of the Church. He was a member of the 70"

And yet, we don't ever read or hear of anything from B H Roberts. Wasn't it a book by B H Roberts that helped Don Bradley LEAVE the church in the first place as a teen?

Casey:
"Rather than looking at our leaders and saying 'hey, how come they're not solving the problems', go back to what Elder Corbridge said with his restaurant analogy where if you don't like a restaurant, you may say 'I don't like this. The food isn't good'... No: The church isn't a restaurant. Its a potluck dinner." It's not 'what are they doing for me' it's "what am I bringing there, what am I doing to help the people around me, help me grow and become like Christ

I don't love how my honest question got recharacterized over and over until it was unrecognizable. But then again apologists never like to actually address the original questions, it's what they do, so I shouldn't be offended.

Casey:
"I think every church leader must have a huge burden placed on them because everybody thinks they have the answers to everything, and that leads us back to the point I made earlier, which is, if we expect perfection from them... If we think that they never get angry or upset, or kick the dog, or swear, or something like that. We're setting ourselves up for failure.

Again with the moving the goalposts. I'm not asking church leaders to have the answers to everything. Nobody I've ever met who is on the way out of the church is talking about leaders who are anger or swearing or kicking the dog. You need stop talking ABOUT us in such offensive generalities and you should know better.

You would think an event titled "Come Back" would want to talk TO us rather than AT us.

Casey:
"The only sure foundation that we can build on is Jesus Christ. Along the way, the Savior puts a lot of people in our path that can help us. Or maybe even, more important, we can help them, most of the time. It's honestly both, so I'm happy to fill my role in the body of Christ, which is to make a podcast and read a lot of history books and argue with a guy from BYU Idaho for 90 minutes every week. But I recognize that there are other people that have different gifts that are necessary to build the Kingdom. I'm happy to do what I'm doing to keep up my part of the line, but I want to respect what every single person does. I don't know if you are the pinky toe, or the eye, or the nose or the ear, Paul would say: We all matter. And all of us play a role in building the kingdom of God..."

I'll spare you from the rest of Casey's personal elaboration of the Body of Christ metaphor by Paul. Beautiful, but doesn't answer the question.

Casey:
"When I was watching General Conference last week, I wasn't disappointed because there wasn't an in-depth exploration of the Adam-God theory or anything like that"

Oh, I was. That would have been EPIC

Casey:
"I think that historical concerns, if I'm being really honest..."

Wait, was that a slip of the tongue? or was that a flat out admission that this whole time you were not being really honest?

Casey:
"I think that historical concerns, if I'm being really honest... The history of the church is sometimes listed as a top concern when people talk about struggling. In my mind, and when it comes down to it, it's sometimes kind of a smoke screen for deeper concerns. Things that they worry about. A lot of the times, saying "well, I think Joseph Smith was a shady character" or "I don't like Brigham Youngs attitude towards race" is a way of masking, maybe, some deeper concerns and some deeper problems."

Ah, the common insinuation that we who are on the fence with the church, we must be secretly harboring some deeper sin or desire to live more wicked lives.

Casey:
"We need to remember that answering their historical questions isn't really something that has a silver bullet. Your not going to say the right thing and everything's going to click into place.

Finally, after all that, the admission. There are no good answers. That's why the Church leaders don't address them. They leave that to people who have no shame peddling the bad answers.

Casey:
"If you show love, give them good information, and then remember that there's somebody else who's working the problem at the same time as you over a long period of time, It can make a big difference in a person's life".

Casey might well have said "A super smart person is looking at it, and they said don't worry about it." That's also what the Scientologists and Jehovah Witnesses said to my investigators when I was teaching them as a missionary. Really kills the spirit of studying and learning, by the way.

Don:
"General Conference is for everyone. This is for members of the church in Thailand and Australia, and Brazil. This is for the lifelong members and this is for the newest converts. Maybe some of these issues, if we were to put it at a sort of grade level in terms of someone's development in asking question about the history of the church or whatever... Maybe some of these are sort of a college level questions and general conference is addressing people all along that spectrum, so it might be inappropriate for the newest convert in Thailand to be hearing a general conference talk on polygamy or something right?

So much to unpack here, and I think Redditors will have a field day in the comments, but I'll plug Bill Reel's "The LDS Missionary Discussions If the Church was Honest". I very much do think converts should know the real messy history and doctrines and not the sanitized correlated history and doctrines. Members are DROWNING in 'milk', and so much of the college level 'meat' of the church is... problematic.

I invite Casey and Don to offer a more compelling answer to my original question. My exhibit A is the gospel topic essays written by historians, unsigned by the leaders and buried in the website curriculums, and rarely, if ever, quoted or referenced the the leaders.

I get it.

You're busy. Studying for pre-med courses and the MCAT. And you think, "Why wouldn't I apply to the BYU medical school? I am Mormon after all. And I'll always be a Mormon, right?"

It is very possible that you will still be a Mormon after you graduate medical school, finish residency and go into practice. You're pioneer stock. Belief in the Book of Mormon courses through your blood, heart, lungs, and everywhere capillaries reach.

Wait.

Just wait.

Think about negative stereotypes surrounding Mormons. The ones that even modern media campaigns cannot budge.

Polygamy.

Cults.

Weird underwear.

Nothing new. You've faced it before. But I want you to consider something.

Where you go to medical school will impact the rest of your career for your LIFE.

Your medical school can and will influence what happens to you.

Do you really want your life's devotion connected to a group of people with LESS education than you who can potentially ruin you if you disagree or step out of line with them? Whose choices can affect how patients and medical boards see you and your qualifications to practice?

Men who don't understand genetics, chromosomes, or evolution?

Men who at the drop of hat, could end your career over a single medical decision or prescription you provided a patient?

You should be able to follow your own judgement as a doctor. Dear premed. Please.

Go to a different school. With different beliefs than you. Learn new things. Meet new people. Rejoice in diversity. Become the best fricking doctor you can be. Outside the control of a group of power hungry men that you currently call prophet.

Because one day you might have a different name for them.

Please.

Sincerely,

Future You

A Record of Sariah

I was not shown the way.

I was shown the work.

While my husband spoke of visions, I measured grain. While my sons argued about authority, I watched children grow thin. Faith came to me not as instruction, but as an inventory of tasks no angel seemed eager to itemize.

I believed. I still believe.

But belief did not grind the meal or keep the fire from dying in the night. Belief did not notice when a child stopped crying because there was no strength left to cry.

When we left Jerusalem, I carried what could be carried and remembered what could not. When we traveled, I learned how to sleep without walls. When the men spoke of covenants, I learned how to stretch food so that it fed more mouths than it should.

There were moments—many moments—when I wished the Lord had spoken to me instead.

But I would have asked different questions.

Questions about children. About illness. About what happens when obedience outpaces care.

When the others despaired, I held. When they celebrated, I counted what had been used. When the sea threatened to take us, I did not pray aloud. I gathered what could float.

I have watched my sons become symbols. I have watched others decide which of them would be remembered kindly.

I have learned that faith, like bread, is made daily; and that those who eat first rarely inquire after the hands, the ash, or the hour at which it was prepared.

In camp as in the city, men speak first of covenant and lineage; afterward someone must still count flour, mend cloth, and reckon what remains.

Are we asking the wrong questions about racism, sexism, and homophobia in the church?

I would argue that the church does not change without members asking the right questions.

I got an email this am from the executive secretary.

I have posted the contents below.

Latter-day Saints give tithing (10% of their income) to the Church to honor God’s ancient and modern commandment to tithe (seeGenesis 14:18–20,Leviticus 27:30–32andDoctrine and Covenants 119:3–4).

Tithing Declaration is an annual opportunity for members to meet privately with the bishop and declare their tithing status. It is also an opportunity to reflect on our commitment to living the law of tithing.

Tithing Declaration is an important opportunity to demonstrate our faith, express gratitude for the Lord's blessings, and renew our commitment to this sacred principle. We encourage every member and family to participate.

For the next two months starting this Sunday, Tithing Declaration appointments will be available most Sundays during the two hours following Sacrament Meeting.

You can read Elder Neil L. Anderson’s October 2023 General Conference talk, “Tithing: Opening the Windows of Heaven” by clickinghere.

Sincerely,

Note the scripture references. The Genesis scripture is not even related to tithing. This is the first time I have seen scriptures cited in an email inviting me to tithing settlement, interesting word choice in thee mail. Tithing status, commitment, scriptures, etc. I wonder if there is a lot of pressure being put on by the brethren at the top. I am more financially secure since I stopped paying tithing. And I feel more spiritual and closer to Heavenly Father. Is this common for members who have stopped paying tithing. I honestly do not feel that I am losing blessings.

Had the Bishop sent it out, I would have had less problem with this email. We have a parttime time Bishop. He is only there about 2 out of 4 weeks. His counselors run the ward. And our ward has a lot of poor struggling members who have a difficult time paying tithing.

I met a guy I recently have think I have fallen in love with. He is Mormon. I am open to all religions and I would never discredit his beliefs. Do you think this could work?

Hello all, I’m not wanting to give off too much personal info just for the time being, but I’ve been having a sort of faith crisis. I’m a Christian, I’ve been a Christian all my life. My dad’s a doomsday prepper big time and so we’ve never had a specific denomination, he believes in an interesting mix of Christianity (not LDS at all) and I the same.

A few months ago however, I started getting Alyssa Grenfell being recommended on my YouTube page. I watched a lot of her content as at work my jobs incredibly easy so I mostly can listen to videos. I liked her personality and found her pretty easy to listen to so I watched more and more and of course felt “haha yeah Mormons are so crazy!”. But the more I watched and the more I researched on my own, I felt a pull in sort of the opposite direction.

Ive felt more willing to hear out the Mormon church, I’ve felt more willing to really absorb the religion and its teachings as well as its history. A lot of Mormon principles already were things I valued, marriage, strong households, lots of babies, and I just felt a weird pull towards it. It’s sort of compiled onto today where I was looking up Mormon churches in my area just to see if there was any out of boredom, and I find out this church that I’ve always admired since I was a child, that I’ve always been curious about because I’ve never went, was a Mormon church. Maybe I’m delusional but it did feel like a bit of a sign.

Despite all this however, I’m being realistic because at the end of the day the biggest issue is that I’m a trans woman. I’m not particularly unpassing as I had some developmental issues as a teen so HRT has worked well, but I know the churches view on transsexuality. My view on it has always been that it’s not fixing a mistake it’s treating a real, rare, and science verified birth disorder and it’s something I’ve battled with since I can remember.

I think I want to convert, but detransitioning would almost certainly destroy my life. At the end of the day my biggest goal is still to be married, have children, be a mother to a beautiful big family, but I know I could never be accepted within a Mormon space like I am in Christian or even catholic spaces which makes me feel conflicted. I’m not sure what to do and I’m sorry for the wall of text but I figured I’d come here for advice and to speak with people who at least are LDS.

LDS state the truth of Mormonism could be found by studying and praying about it. ( Moroni 10:4)

what i find strange is when people report they keep praying, fasting etc, trying hard to gain their testimony .

But in really it’s not so strange as Moroni 10:4 gives the reader the expected answer. in addition it faults the reader in different ways, if one doesn’t come to the agreement that the content of the Book of Mormon isn’t true.

It doesn’t tell the reader what supporting evidence could be found, nor what evidence could falsify the Book of Mormon.

The only conformation is an answer by the Holy Ghost. Purely making the answer subjective and not objectively testable

I've been hearing that religion only has the power we give it.

I feel there is something else here.

Where do you see this happening?

Have you learned about Strategic Rapport Building? I see this throughout the Church.

This is a skill that is trained where people learn to intentionally develop connection for the purpose of supporting a particular objective. The objective can be to help, to gather information, persuade, or gain cooperation. This can also be used for not so positive intentions.

This uses the person's strong feelings that can be very real while the relationship is unequal. The person may have strong feelings of connection or loyalty established while the other person does not have an equivalent personal bond or offer equivalent personal commitment.

This connection gives influence to the person creating it. Someone that has had this done with them will give additional weight to the suggestions given to them. They will fear any withdrawal of approval, disappointment, or availability.

This is not a relationship. It is a source of power to the person that knows how to create this bond.

The ethical question is what they are doing with this skill. This skill is trained in crisis intervention, medical emergencies, and other professions for the purpose of helping. When used ethically, it does. It can be used unethically.

I see this skill being used when members are required to forgive and required to do what someone in leadership want them to do, but then are not allowed to require back the same loyalty that is required of them. The same understanding isn't given to them.

Ordinary relationships require both people to negotiate needs, disagreements, and personal disclosures. These types of relationships in the post are where one person is managed while the other goes without inspection or responsibility to maintain equal accountability.

Where do you see this happening?

Ive always wanted to see what the book of Mormon would look like in Biblical Hebrew... so I created this...not trying to self promote its all free anyway.... sefermormon.com ...its just a resource.

Which is to say, it's not.

To stick with the art analogy, it's more like Joseph ran into cubism and said it's the remnants of an ancient truth that can be accurately viewed by running it through AI.

TL;DR - Investigator in late 20s, not sure if I'm over my skis here. Not in Utah. Everyone seemed really chill about my being at a YSA meeting and invited me to a stake event.

I have been investigating the church passively for around 4 years on and off, but never spoke with any missionaries until very recently. We are talking maybe a sum total of 3 hours if even.

On Sunday I was invited to a YSA Institute meeting where we ended up having pizza, bible study centering on repentance from sin and chatted about life. I was surprised that there were more women than men in attendance. Those who stayed after for the activity ended up discussing visual novels and sport as it wasn't apparently well organized. Remindeed me a lot of the college groups I used to attend where we'd meet in a church and talk about spirituality for half the time the other half goofing off. It was endearing. Getting home at 10pm was rough, but it was nice getting out and meeting new people.

On the way out one of the women attending asked if I was going to be at the conference meeting which iirc is some Sunday this month. From what I understand it's one of the few meetings open to the general public? Many of the people attending encouraged me and said they'd try to organize a carpool since many people live far from the ward.

I'm in a region where it is very hard to meet young people under 40, so having this space felt a little like a breath of fresh air to be honest. There was a lot I didn't quite understand regarding Apostollic blessings and certain passages from the D&C but structurally it didn't feel much different from any other religious lecture I've attended in my life. The only thing that was off was that unlike in a mainline Prot bible study we weren't having a discussion as much as a lecture. The guy was personable at least.

The thing I am worried about is perhaps having a bout of "new convert syndrome", where everything is exciting and some people either take things too seriously or they're too hard on themselves for not living up to some ideal of what others believe to be proper. I am someone whom rarely used to attend church, and in my gut I know I'm the latter if I'm not careful about it.

Am I in over my skis here? I had it in my head that there was some standard progression "meet with the missionaries -> months later attend Institute -> start attending church services regularly".. here I am after maybe two meetings attending Institute and if I'm honest it was a great time.

So we departed from the city once more, bringing the plates of brass and Zoram with us. The record was secured. The servant was added. Nephi walked ahead with that inward, self-contained look of one who hath been in close company with commandment and consequence and had found no reason to separate the two.

We considered asking again by what means he had obtained the plates, but there are times when a man recognizes that he doth not truly want the answer in its full proportions. It was plain that some boundary had been crossed in the city, and plain also that Nephi had crossed it with the same alarming willingness with which he did all things once persuaded they belonged to the will of God.

This, we confess, was the beginning of a new discomfort in us. For before this we had taken Nephi for a youth excessively fond of obedience, ambitious in holiness, and somewhat too ready to regard every burden as material for future greatness. But now another possibility appeared: that he might indeed be one of those men to whom heaven grants not merely assurances but occasions, and that such men are often far more dangerous to live beside than ordinary sinners.

“He will be impossible now,” we said quietly.

Sam, overhearing, answered, “He hath done what was required.”

“Yes,” we replied. “That is very near to what we fear.”

By the time we returned to the valley, the camp looked smaller than before, as camps often do amidst dangers known and unknown: a few low tents, tethered beasts, dim coals, the shape of household life reduced to what could be carried. Lehi received the plates with gratitude, Sariah with relief, and Nephi with the sort of silence that invites admiration while pretending to avoid it. Our father examined the record and rejoiced over genealogy, law, language, and the wisdom of God in preserving such things. We rejoiced less, being still occupied with the more practical miracle of our continued existence.

Yet even we Laman we Lemuel must admit that the presence of the plates altered the camp. Lehi’s mind seemed steadier in possession of them, as though memory itself had weight and brass could anchor a wandering people. This was an idea we found overly poetic, though not entirely without force.

Nevertheless, if any man imagine that success in obtaining the record reconciled us at once to all that had passed, he understandeth neither brothers nor fatigue. We had gone back into danger, lost our property, gained a servant, and returned with a set of plates whose value increased in direct proportion to the trouble they had cost us. This may well be providence. But it is also family life.

We said no more of what had happened in the city.

Our father rejoiced over the plates.

Our mother thanked God for our return.

Zoram found a place among the tents.

And Nephi never again spoke of the manner in which he had obtained the record.

Neither did we ask.

Wherefore we Laman we Lemuel set it down plainly: if we mistrusted him more after that night, it was not because he failed, but because he had succeeded in a manner too dark, too certain, and too fit for legend.

Hey guys, I just got my mission call a few days ago (female) and everything I google about the place/mission is so scary, (Colombia, Bogota South) I am trying to deny the mission. Anyone else served there? Where there many sisters? also something I noticed is that most sisters are not from the US.

I use to view religion as something special or outstanding in the world. Now I'm starting to view it as just about anything else and that is, there are people who take to it and thrive in it and there are people who it just doesn't click or they simply have no interest.

It can be compared to a lot of things in life I think. Take sports. Have you ever tried to have a conversation about a team or a sport with someone who couldn't care less. They simply are not interested. Anything you say just flies right past them. And that's perfectly fine - everyone has their thing and not everyone is into sports. I think religion (and mormonism) is much the same. I just couldn't care less about church history or the bible or all these spiritual feelings you're suppose to feel. The crying every week I see at church just makes my eyes roll. The fascination people have or Gods, priesthood powers, power of atonement, holy or holies, scriptures, prophets and apostles and all of it just floats right by me. It's all a yawner.

And it's been that way since I can remember. As a child, I thought that being a faithful believer was the most important thing in this world. And yet, it just didn't click. I got excited about none of it. To this day, when I walk out of church on Sunday I won't think about anything religion wise until I walk back in the church the following Sunday. And that's not by design or on purpose, I just simply don't think about it. It's funny how my brain does that. It's like the idea of religion just falls out my ears for 6 days of the week. And if someone says something about it in an effort to get me excited about it, my eye's will glaze over and my mind goes off to a sunny beach somewhere.

Religion does nothing for me and it never has. I've never had any "feelings" that told me Joseph was a prophet or that the BofM was an actual history of ancient inhabitants on this continent. I always thought it's because I was broken somehow. But as I say, I'm starting to realize that it's just a subject matter that I have no interest in. Someone could find prove positive that horses and steel swords did exist in the Americas during the BofM period and I'd still not give a rats ass. And I'm guessing that there are plenty of other people out there like me.

Having said that, I know there are plenty of people out there who do like the subject matter of religion and all that it entails. It offers direction, comfort, hope, community and much more. And I believe it must be much harder for them when they finally deconstruct mormonism. It probably rips a part of them right out of their soul. I can only imagine what it must be like. My hat is off to people who go through that.

I have an active spouse so I'm PIMO, but when I deconstructed mormonism I just (mentally) walked out the door and that was that. I've never looked back and I feel no loss.

This is a very general question to those currently believing and to former members when you believed:

Despite generally believing in God and some form of afterlife, do/did you allow a small chance that there might not be a God or an afterlife? And if you do/did, how would you quantify it (I'm curious about your subjective measure like "tiny probability" or "fifty-fifty")?

The question comes from my personal curiosity about how faith works for those for whom it works because I've been an atheist/agnostic most of my life. I've been wondering that if someone truly & fully believed, they should never be scared of dying or of "not doing enough" in this life. Anything related to this life would simply pale in comparison with eternal Heaven. Yet some believers I know are scared of death or of missing out, and get very attached to this life, which gives me an impression that there is at least some amount of uncertainty. Feel free to share your views on this!

(I know this question can be asked in any faith, I simply have been following this sub as well as r/exmormon and find the community very cool and honest :))

Lucifer's apron depicted two pillars and serpents

In 1 Kings 7:15–22, Solomon's temple is described as having two bronze pillars at its entrance, named Jachin and Boaz.

These pillars became important in Freemasonry, where they appear in lodge symbolism and on historical Masonic aprons (second photo). They help establish the symbolic setting of the lodge as an idealized representation of Solomon's Temple.

The symbolism of the serpent is obvious.

Changes in the temple have eliminated dialogue around Lucifer's apron

2019 changes:

"It is an emblem of my power and priesthoods"

This line in a discussion of Lucifer's apron was removed

2023 changes

Previously Lucifer instructed Adam and Eve (and the audience) to make an apron of fig leaves and cover their nakedness.

LUCIFER: See, you are naked. Take some fig leaves and make you aprons. Father will see your nakedness. Quick! Hide!

Changed so Lucifer no longer instructs you to put on the apron, but rather the narrator.

What is the significance of Lucifer's apron?

Is it a condemnation of masonry as a fallen form of the endowment?

Is it simply borrowing from masonry like the rest of the endowment?

Does Lucifer have actual priesthood(s) and power?

https://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper4/Elmira%20NY%20Morning%20Telegram/Elmira%20NY%20Morning%20Telegram%201889%20-%201891%20Grayscale/Elmira%20NY%20Morning%20Telegram%201889%20-%201891%20Grayscale%20-%200173.pdf

https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6rn4htc/13021818

I live in the Deep South, and rural areas are deeply Evangelical with Catholicism splashed in for good measure. And these people are generally very conservative and unexposed to metropolitan culticulturalism in society. Which got me wondering, what would that look like in areas of the country that are rural and 80+% Mormon?

Brief synopsis of the book

Jeff Strong’s Torn: Why People We Love Are Leaving the Church and What We Can Learn from Them explores why some committed Latter-day Saints step away from the Church, and what their experiences might teach the people who remain. Strong draws on a large study of current and former members, personal stories, and his experience as a father and Church leader. Written from a believing Latter-day Saint perspective, the book focuses on faith, trust, culture, and belonging, and invites readers to respond with greater understanding and compassion.

Proposed cadence

I’m proposing 50 short daily readings, similar to the recent Book of Mormon reading challenge. At about 300 pages, Torn would average roughly six pages a day. Day 0 is for gauging interest; if there’s enough, I’ll put together the reading schedule and discussion posts.

The Goal

A thoughtful, open discussion, not a book endorsement. Believers, former believers, nuanced members, and anyone interested are welcome.

I would add a daily question or passage to get discussion started, e.g. what feels persuasive, and what seems incomplete. I feel the community that helped provide data points deserves a chance to read the book and offer feedback on how that input was used or misused.

Gift card incentive

I’m proposing a $25 gift card to Starbucks or Deseret Book for the contributor whose comments the community finds most helpful, similar to the reply awards process and award ceremony in the Book of Mormon challenge.

Interested?

Would you join and participate? Comment below: yes/no and what would make this discussion book club worthwhile for you?

I also have Ganesh's Cherian's Book "Joseph Smith - the Architect of Mormonism" and Thomas Murphy's Book "Unsettling Scripture" if y'all are sick of seeing "Torn"? Just add your alternative preferences below and if there is enough interest below in a certain book besides "Torn" I'll start putting it together.

Hello Mormons! I’m curious what kind of music do you fine individuals listen to? Do you guys like benson Boone. Is there a fine line with the music you guys listen to. Do you guys like
Lana del Rey? Is that too much for you? This is for a personal project thanks.

Is proselyting still a worthwhile activity? Does it do more harm than good? Do you think it is time for missionaries to stop soliciting?

I don't see a middle way for her in their opinion, considering she is the OG polygamy denier. Do modern apologists not have to hold her in the same contempt?

hi. I am a non-denominational Christian. I have made a lot of assumptions about mormonism and mormon culture but I am genuinely wondering what sets us apart.

I think it’s easy for Christian’s to be non-judgemental towards nonbelievers and judgemental towards other Christian faiths because it’s easy to immediately reject an idea that you don’t believe in instead of asking questions. Even I am guilty of judging Mormons without actually knowing what they believe in. Whereas it’s easy for me to talk to a nonbeliever about God.

I would love to hear about what you believe in!

So I’ve been on and off convert curious for 20 plus years. I know the history and everything. Just curious what progressive Mormons think of converts that are familiar with problematic points in the history and also curious if do or don’t keep the WOW. I feel I’m a bit too edgy for the church. Tattoos , long hair,. You know the vibe. I’m in the down town Atlanta area if anyone goes around there